If there has been one area consistently nitpicked by golfers when it comes to Tour Edge and the Exotics lineups, it has been irons. Yes, last year they produced some of the most under the radar good players irons ever in the EXS Pro Forged, but the focus on Exotics is always primarily on metalwoods, and rightfully so.
While that trend of fascinating metal woods definitely looks like it will be continuing with the C721 versions dropping, but David Glod and Tour Edge are out to entirely change the dynamic of perception on their Exotics irons with the C721 and E721 releases.
Tour Edge Exotics C721 and E721 Iron Tech Rundown
At their root, both of these irons are built on optimizing distance and feel for two distinct segments, the C721 is presented as a “Players Distance” iron, and the E721 as “Extreme Game Improvement”. That said, let it be clear, these are a total departure for Tour Edge and the Exotics line. They are a ground up design with as much heavy tech in them as anything else out there on the market. It is because of that fact that I believe it is worth us talking about the technology first before we dive into the specifics of both models.
Foremost, one of the two biggest tech stories in both irons sets is what Tour Edge is calling VIBRCOR. As you might have guessed based on the name, this is a dampening material which is applied in two locations within both irons. This is a proprietary TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) which has the job of helping improve feel while also dampening unwanted audible and tactile feedback at impact. The most head turning claim from Tour Edge here is that it has let them create a powerful, long iron which have the feel of a forged blade. Bold statement that no doubt many will want to see if it holds true after their release.
The other big hitter in design is the implementation of the company’s Diamond Face 2.0 which is the basis to their variable face thickness application. Versus traditional methods, here Tour Edge uses diamonds of various thicknesses that cover the entire face of the irons, 92 in the C721 and 103 in the bigger E721. These serve to create a broader sweet spot and forgiveness on the perimeters of the irons. This is also the first time that the company has applied this to irons, which is indeed rather exciting.
There are a few iron specific design traits I’ll touch on in those sections as well, but before that I do want to get into the attention to fitting, which Tour Edge is doing all they can to emphasize its importance. First, each head, although not a forged body, has a Notched Hosel which will allow bending +/- 3°. Also, they are implementing their SpeedTested shaft fitting program where they seek to offer the best performing stock options for three different speed classes.
Now then, lets take a closer look at each iron.
Tour Edge Exotics C721 Irons
The C721 are, as previously mentioned, “Players Distance” irons by design. The “C” in the naming actually stands for “competition spec” and is the basis to these irons having an overall smaller topline in a classic looking shape which should appeal to a broad range of golfers from lower handicaps on up. Additionally, these are hollow body irons which implement VIBRCOR in two different locations, the inner cavity as well as the external one, to ensure the irons don’t feel like hollow body clubs.
Obviously, the hollow design will allow significant weighting to be shifted to the perimeter, which combined with the forged high strength military grade maraging steel face which is plasma welded to the body, makes for an iron built for easy speed and distance.
The iron set specifications of the C721’s are as follows:
The C721 irons will also have three stock shaft options selected with Tour Edge’s SpeedTested custom shaft fitting program. The stock options are as follows:
- 85 MPH or Below – KBS TGI: [60-gram A], [50-gram L]
- 85-95 MPH – Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX: [80-gram R/5.5] + True Temper Elevate 95 VSS: [95-gram R]
- 95 MPH or Above – Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX: [80-gram X/6.5], [80-gram S/6.0] + True Temper Elevate 95 VSS: [95-gram X], [95-gram S]
Tour Edge Exotics E721 Irons
The “E” in the E721 stands for “extreme spec” and these are truly a game improvement Exotics iron design. In terms of footprint, it indeed has a thicker topline and sole, as well as a more forgiving look overall, as it should. The name of the game here is launch with extreme forgiveness and ball speed.
Important to point out, the E721 is not a hollow body iron. Instead, it is an extremely toe weighted profile with a massive 360 undercut which keeps the CG very low in the one-piece design while allowing the face to flex as much as possible. That toe weighting helps to stretch the sweet spot to increase playability. Additionally, 103 diamonds are applied through Diamond Face 2.0 as well as the use of VIBRCOR in both the undercut and behind the face to help ensure a good feel.
The E721 are also “Power Lofted” because of the deep center of gravity in order to make sure the irons maintain their proper launch parameters. Specifications are as follows:
Additionally, the E721 are also part of Tour Edge’s SpeedTested program of optimized fitting, the shaft options are below:
- 85 MPH or Below – KBS TGI: [60-gram A], [50-gram L]
- 85-95 MPH – KBS TGI: [70-gram R] + True Temper XP85: [85-gram R]
- 95 MPH or Above – KBS TGI: [80-gram S] + True Temper XP85: [85-gram S]
The Details
Both iron sets will be available starting on 3/10/21 directly from Tour Edge as well as through retailers worldwide. The C721 will come in at $129.99 (steel) or $149.99 (graphite) per iron while the E721 settle in at $99.99 (steel) and $114.99.
THP will have more on these irons as release hits, but until then, what do you think about this direction for Tour Edge and their Exotics irons? Jump into the conversation on the THP Community or below and let us know!
Love that you’re using Arccos to compare.
Craziest thing about these is still the sound to me. @Canadan hitting his blew my mind that they truly did create something excellent there
I’m a numbers guy by nature, so it’s be a lot of fun digging into the data. Once you start looking at the numbers it takes a lot of bias out of the clubs, and you get to look at what will play best for you.
They’re a match designed in heaven for head like these!
And the design it literally for irons like these that can be a little low on the spin side. It’s a heck of a tandem I bet!
Took me a while to jump onboard with arccos. After having them for a while now really enjoy looking at round stats and tracking clubs. Makes reviewing so much easier to have data to backup your thoughts either good or bad.
They are…THey fly so well and the feel…..when you strike the center it is like the rocket shot you never feel….I have less pulls, more center hits, and the shot is so much better. The difference from the XP85 to this is crazy good, I would have had the Elevate 95’s in the first place, but they were back ordered 6 weeks minimum. No fault of TE, just got them with a lighter shaft to get the time in with them
Worth the wait!
It’s also put the Super Hybrid in a weird spot, because I have been pulling the 3 iron where I would normally pull the Hybrid.
I’m super excited to see what the Elevates do in the E721 on the course, they were backordered to like 4-6 weeks, hoping it’s only 4!
I am assuming these shafts or upgrade, or upsell
Elevates are standard.
Man I hate it when a well struck ball surprises me.
Yep, Everyone in a while you look at the yardage and wind and the ball just jumped. I had a shot this past weekend where i was 175 from the pin, right rough to an green that was probably 6 yards up, into a little wind and my ball was on an upslope. i mean 25 degrees, so i swung the 6 thinking its into the wind, elevated green and it going to elevate. I hit it 200 yards……i could to believe it, i guess i hit the center of the club….
That’s SUPER interesting to hear that a head size appears to be getting bigger. I’ve always felt like even if I am transitioning from a blade, time makes everything relatively ‘normal’ which I suppose would make them smaller.
Good to hear, IO am playing with a new group of guys this weekend over in Rockwall, Can’t wait to show off my C721’s
I hope you have another club to show off.
Glad you are enjoying them. I too enjoy the height and distance of my C721/Elevate combo!
Good to hear your enjoying them. The 721 release has been good throughout. So far not a lemon in the batch.
That is awesome, I have not taken my C721’s out of the bag since e i got them…..better end better each time… I have had a couple of iffy rounds, but that was the indian on those days, not the arrows….
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Those look great, enjoy! What shaft did you go with?
Went with the xp85’s. Elevates would have been my first choice but they were back ordered. Excited to put some swings on them though
As you should be. Looking forward to your thoughts!
Those wedges, yummy.
What shaft are you are you using in the c721
Great stuff. Definitely a set that can perform toe to toe with anything in the category.
How’s the ball flight for you?
How’s the sound and feel?
I have the xp85’s in them
Flight was nice and high. I have a fairly high flight normally. Maybe slightly higher but nothing crazy. Sound and feel were both pretty good. Like I said the heads feel slightly heavier than my old irons but after a few swings I felt like I adjusted and started hitting some great looking shots
54 and 58. Didn’t do any chipping today. Just some half and full swings mainly warm up for the bigger clubs. I’ll report back once I get some greenside work in with them
First one I wanted to hit as straight as possible, and absolutely RIPPED it. So good – perfect condition.
Second one, I wanted to turn it over left. I guess it wasn’t a great swing because it went straight again hahaha
I’m not mad, those are tidy results off the tee.
They’ve been good for me, and I haven’t noticed a difference from other irons I’ve played, which includes Srixon 565/765’s. I actually play a bit better out of the slight rough than I do the fairway, but that’s always been the case. Distance has been very close to what I see from the fairway, barring a nasty lie. Haven’t had issues with the clubs getting caught up in the rough.
I have not had issues with it and have only played moderate rough. I will say that if you believe its a flyer lie, throttle back, these will jump and a half
That 4 iron is money…..When i want 220 off the tee box right down the right side with a draw, thats my club. IT is a nail driver and you get into 33 or 36 yd par 4’s; I will take a 9 or PW into the green all day long
Exactly my thought. I’m comfortable with my 8i, can usually hit that on a handful of par 4’s. Why not put it there with the 4i, as opposed to driver, where even if I hit it well now I’m at an awkward partial wedge, which is a weakness for me right now. I just need to continue to think about next shot, and what would be the best approach off the tee.
This club is nuts.
Point and shoot rocket off the tee. The ease of consistancy blows me away too.
4i continues to be a weapon on tight par 4’s.
It’s been SO much fun in there. Obviously you still have to work for good contact at that loft, but when hit well it’s basically everything wanted.
Why flight them? Is the intent to remove the pull, or something different?
This was more of a problem off the tee. I felt like I was sweeping with my short irons, and not hitting down on the ball as much. So I moved my hands a bit further in front on the ball to stay on top of it better. Result was a lower ball flight, and more accuracy. Small sample size obviously.